Buying Guide

The Best Wireless Gaming Headsets Now

Six wireless headsets from the Stealth 700 to the Astro A50.

By The PC Journal editorial team

12 min read6 products evaluated

A 2.4GHz dongle gives the lowest latency, and Bluetooth adds a phone. These six all have a dongle or base station.

We compared battery, drivers and mic from each listing.

Quick Picks

Our 6 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.

  1. Best All-Rounder

    SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7 Wireless Gen 2

    Simultaneous 2.4GHz and Bluetooth.

    Best for: PC and phone.

    Our take Check price for SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7 Wireless Gen 2 (opens in a new tab)

  2. Longest Battery Life

    HyperX Cloud Alpha 2 Wireless

    The longest battery life here (250 hours).

    Best for: Players who hate charging mid-week.

    Our take Check price for HyperX Cloud Alpha 2 Wireless (opens in a new tab)

  3. Best Tri-Mode

    Razer BlackShark V3 Pro Wireless ANC Gaming Headset

    HyperSpeed, Bluetooth and 3.5mm.

    Best for: Esports.

    Our take Check price for Razer BlackShark V3 Pro Wireless ANC Gaming Headset (opens in a new tab)

  4. Best Base Station

    Astro A50 Wireless

    A charging base that switches three platforms.

    Best for: Multi-platform desks.

    Our take Check price for Astro A50 Wireless (opens in a new tab)

  5. Best Mic

    Logitech G522 Lightspeed Wireless

    A 48kHz/16-bit mic.

    Best for: Streaming.

    Our take Check price for Logitech G522 Lightspeed Wireless (opens in a new tab)

  6. Largest Drivers

    Turtle Beach Stealth 700 (Xbox)

    The largest driver size here (60mm).

    Best for: Players who favour a fuller low end.

    Our take Check price for Turtle Beach Stealth 700 (Xbox) (opens in a new tab)

Our Picks

SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7 Wireless Gen 2

Best All-Rounder1 of 6

SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7 Wireless Gen 2 on Amazon (opens in a new tab)

The Arctis Nova 7 Gen 2 is the pick if your phone stays in your ears during a game: it plays 2.4GHz and Bluetooth audio at the same time, so a call or music mixes with game sound.

Best for

PC and phone.

Skip if

Skip it if battery life matters most to you; the Cloud Alpha 2 offers 250 hours.

Why we like it

Its noise-rejecting mic suits noisy rooms. Its ClearCast Gen 2 mic cuts background noise by up to 25dB, and battery lasts over 50 hours with USB-C fast charge. A steel frame and memory foam balance weight and comfort.

On battery life it trails the group at 50 hours, while the Cloud Alpha 2 runs for 250 hours. You get a noise-rejecting microphone here, which sets it apart from the Stealth 700 and its a flip-to-mute microphone. You also get 360-degree spatial audio support.

On a PC, use the 2.4GHz dongle for games and keep Bluetooth for a phone, since Bluetooth adds latency. On price it sat second of 6, between the cheaper G522 and the pricier Stealth 700, at the time of writing.

Key dimensions & specs

  • Battery life: 50 hours
  • Connection: 2.4GHz and Bluetooth simultaneously
  • Microphone: Noise-rejecting

Pros

  • Up to 50 hours of battery life
  • Dual wireless: dongle plus Bluetooth
  • Simultaneous 2.4GHz and Bluetooth audio
  • 360-degree spatial audio support

Cons

  • Battery life trails the Cloud Alpha 2 (250 hours)
  • No published driver size
  • Costs more than the G522 at the time of writing
HyperX Cloud Alpha 2 Wireless

Longest Battery Life2 of 6

HyperX Cloud Alpha 2 Wireless on Amazon (opens in a new tab)

HyperX's Cloud Alpha 2 Wireless offers up to 250 hours of battery life with 53mm drivers.

Best for

Players who hate charging mid-week.

Skip if

Price-first buyers should look at the G522, which cost less when we checked.

Why we like it

It runs 2.4GHz and Bluetooth at the same time. Its 250 hours battery life is the longest here; the G522 comes next at 60 hours. On driver size it sits mid-pack at 53mm: the Stealth 700 comes in at 60mm, and the Astro A50 comes in at 40mm.

Like the BlackShark V3 Pro, it has a detachable microphone, while the Arctis Nova 7 Gen 2 uses a noise-rejecting microphone. On a PC, use the 2.4GHz dongle for games and keep Bluetooth for a phone, since Bluetooth adds latency. When we checked, only the BlackShark V3 Pro and cheaper picks cost less, and the Astro A50 cost more.

Key dimensions & specs

  • Battery life: 250 hours
  • Driver size: 53mm
  • Connection: 2.4GHz and Bluetooth simultaneously
  • Microphone: Detachable

Pros

  • Up to 250 hours of battery life
  • 53mm drivers
  • Dual wireless: dongle plus Bluetooth
  • Simultaneous 2.4GHz and Bluetooth

Cons

  • Costs more than the G522 at the time of writing
Razer BlackShark V3 Pro Wireless ANC Gaming Headset

Best Tri-Mode3 of 6

Razer BlackShark V3 Pro Wireless ANC Gaming Headset on Amazon (opens in a new tab)

The BlackShark V3 Pro adds active noise cancellation and a 3.5mm wired option to the BlackShark design.

Best for

Esports.

Skip if

The maker gives no battery life, so look elsewhere if that figure decides it for you.

Why we like it

HyperSpeed Gen-2 wireless keeps latency around 10ms, and the detachable 12mm HyperClear mic captures voice in full band. Active noise cancellation helps in loud rooms. Its 50mm driver size ranks third of 4 here, behind the Stealth 700 (60mm) and ahead of the Astro A50 (40mm).

It shares a detachable microphone with the Cloud Alpha 2; the Astro A50 goes with a 48kHz flip-to-mute microphone. On a PC, use the 2.4GHz dongle for games and keep Bluetooth for a phone, since Bluetooth adds latency. A 3.5mm plug means it works with a controller or front-panel jack; on PC, a separate mic and headphone jack may need a splitter.

Its price falls between the Stealth 700 and the Cloud Alpha 2, based on our last check. Buyers who need a confirmed battery life should compare it with the Cloud Alpha 2, which runs for 250 hours.

Key dimensions & specs

  • Driver size: 50mm
  • Connection: HyperSpeed 2.4GHz, Bluetooth, 3.5mm
  • Microphone: Detachable

Pros

  • 50mm drivers
  • Dual wireless: dongle plus Bluetooth
  • Active noise cancellation
  • HyperSpeed, Bluetooth and 3.5mm

Cons

  • No published battery life
  • Costs more than the G522 at the time of writing
Astro A50 Wireless

Best Base Station4 of 6

Astro A50 Wireless on Amazon (opens in a new tab)

The Astro A50 uses graphene drivers and a base station that charges the headset and switches between three platforms.

Best for

Multi-platform desks.

Skip if

The maker gives no battery life, so look elsewhere if that figure decides it for you.

Why we like it

It is the premium Logitech-owned option. Its 10-band EQ, noise gate and stream mixing are set in G HUB, and Bluetooth mixes phone audio with game sound. Its 40mm driver size is the smallest in this group; the Stealth 700 leads at 60mm.

A 48kHz flip-to-mute microphone is unique to it among these picks, while the Arctis Nova 7 Gen 2 uses a noise-rejecting microphone. You also get a charging dock. It was the most expensive pick when we checked, so weigh what it adds over the Cloud Alpha 2. Buyers who need a confirmed battery life should compare it with the Cloud Alpha 2, which runs for 250 hours.

Key dimensions & specs

  • Driver size: 40mm
  • Connection: Lightspeed base station, Bluetooth
  • Microphone: 48kHz flip-to-mute

Pros

  • Dual wireless: dongle plus Bluetooth
  • Graphene drivers
  • Base station that switches between three platforms
  • Charging dock

Cons

  • No published battery life
  • Driver size trails the Stealth 700 (60mm)
  • Costs more than the G522 at the time of writing
Logitech G522 Lightspeed Wireless

Best Mic5 of 6

Logitech G522 Lightspeed Wireless on Amazon (opens in a new tab)

The G522 is built around voice: Logitech offers a full-bandwidth 48kHz microphone alongside 48kHz/24-bit audio.

Best for

Streaming.

Skip if

Skip it if you need to know its driver size before buying; the maker doesn't publish one.

Why we like it

It weighs 280g and offers up to 60 hours with lighting off. Its 60 hours battery life ranks second of 3 here, behind the Cloud Alpha 2 (250 hours) and ahead of the Arctis Nova 7 Gen 2 (50 hours). A lightspeed 2.4GHz connection is unique to it among these picks, while the Stealth 700 uses a CrossPlay dual transmitter connection.

It is the only pick here with a 48kHz/16-bit microphone; the BlackShark V3 Pro has a detachable microphone instead. It connects through a USB wireless dongle, so keep a free USB port near your desk for the best range. No other pick here cost less at our last price check, and the Arctis Nova 7 Gen 2 was closest. If you want a confirmed driver size, look to the Stealth 700 instead: it comes in at 60mm, while this one gives no figure.

Key dimensions & specs

  • Battery life: 60 hours
  • Weight: 280g
  • Connection: Lightspeed 2.4GHz
  • Microphone: 48kHz/16-bit

Pros

  • Up to 60 hours of battery life
  • Light 280g build
  • 48kHz/24-bit audio
  • Full-bandwidth 48kHz microphone

Cons

  • No published driver size
Turtle Beach Stealth 700 (Xbox)

Largest Drivers6 of 6

Turtle Beach Stealth 700 (Xbox) on Amazon (opens in a new tab)

The Stealth 700 uses the largest drivers here, 60mm Eclipse dual drivers, and a CrossPlay dual transmitter for switching between systems.

Best for

Players who favour a fuller low end.

Skip if

Its battery life is not published, which rules it out if you need that number.

Why we like it

Memory foam cushions designed for glasses make it one of the more comfortable options for long sessions. It runs 2.4GHz and Bluetooth at the same time, so you can take a phone call while gaming, and the battery is rated for up to 80 hours. The glasses-friendly memory foam cushions and 10-band EQ app help on long sessions.

On driver size it leads this guide at 60mm, ahead of the Cloud Alpha 2 (53mm). It is the only pick here with a CrossPlay dual transmitter connection; the G522 has a lightspeed 2.4GHz connection instead. You get a flip-to-mute microphone here, which sets it apart from the G522 and its a 48kHz/16-bit microphone.

On price it sat third of 6, between the cheaper Arctis Nova 7 Gen 2 and the pricier BlackShark V3 Pro, at the time of writing. The maker doesn't give its battery life; if that figure matters, the Cloud Alpha 2 runs for 250 hours.

Key dimensions & specs

  • Driver size: 60mm
  • Connection: CrossPlay dual transmitter
  • Microphone: Flip-to-mute

Pros

  • 60mm drivers
  • 60mm Eclipse dual drivers
  • Memory foam cushions designed for glasses
  • CrossPlay dual transmitter connection, the only one here

Cons

  • No published battery life
  • Costs more than the G522 at the time of writing

How We Chose

Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.

Drivers and design
We noted driver size and whether the design is open or closed, which shapes sound and isolation.
Battery and weight
We compared rated battery life and weight where makers state them, noting where lighting affects the battery claim.
Platform support
We checked which consoles and PCs each maker names, and flagged Xbox-specific connections.
Connection options
We recorded each headset's connections, since they decide which systems it works with and how much latency to expect.

What to Look for in a Wireless Gaming Headsets Now

Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.

  1. Pick the connection first

    A 2.4GHz dongle gives the lowest latency for games; Bluetooth is convenient for phones but lags for shooters. Wired headsets have no latency or battery concerns.

    If you play on a console as well as a PC, check which connections each platform supports before buying.

  2. Battery life claims vary with lighting

    Makers quote battery life under their own conditions, often with RGB lighting off. A 50-hour claim can drop noticeably with lighting on.

    Compare figures at similar settings, and look for fast charging if you forget to plug in.

  3. Check the microphone type

    Detachable microphones let the headset double as everyday headphones. Some audiophile headphones have no microphone at all, so you would need a separate one.

    If you stream or join calls, a cardioid or noise-rejecting mic is worth prioritising.

  4. Virtual surround is software

    7.1 and spatial audio labels usually describe software processing, not extra drivers. They can help locate sounds in some games and hurt music in others.

    Make sure you can switch it off in the headset's software.

  5. Weight and clamp matter after an hour

    Lighter headsets reduce pressure on the top of the head, and memory foam or fabric pads stay cooler. A difference of 50g is noticeable over long sessions.

    If you wear glasses, look for soft pads that do not press the arms into your head.

  6. Open-back or closed-back

    Open-back headphones sound more spacious and feel cooler, but they leak sound and block little outside noise. Closed-back models isolate better in shared rooms.

    Choose open-back only if you play in a quiet room on your own.

How to Choose a Wireless Gaming Headsets Now

By priority

PriorityConsiderWhy
PC and phoneArctis Nova 7 Gen 2Simultaneous 2.4GHz and Bluetooth
Players who hate charging mid-weekCloud Alpha 2The longest battery life here (250 hours)
EsportsBlackShark V3 ProHyperSpeed, Bluetooth and 3.5mm
Multi-platform desksAstro A50A charging base that switches three platforms
StreamingG522A 48kHz/16-bit mic
Players who favour a fuller low endStealth 700The largest driver size here (60mm)

Scroll sideways to see every column.

Key specs side by side

Figures as each maker states them.

HeadsetBattery lifeDriver sizeConnectionMicrophone
Arctis Nova 7 Gen 250 hoursNot listed2.4GHz and Bluetooth simultaneouslyNoise-rejecting
Cloud Alpha 2250 hours53mm2.4GHz and Bluetooth simultaneouslyDetachable
BlackShark V3 ProNot listed50mmHyperSpeed 2.4GHz, Bluetooth, 3.5mmDetachable
Astro A50Not listed40mmLightspeed base station, Bluetooth48kHz flip-to-mute
G52260 hoursNot listedLightspeed 2.4GHz48kHz/16-bit
Stealth 700Not listed60mmCrossPlay dual transmitterFlip-to-mute

Scroll sideways to see every column.

By price at the time of writing

Prices change often; these tiers reflect Amazon prices when this guide was updated.

Price tierHeadsets
About $100 to $150G522
About $150 to $250Arctis Nova 7 Gen 2, Stealth 700, BlackShark V3 Pro, Cloud Alpha 2, Astro A50

Frequently Asked Questions

Are open-back headphones good for gaming?

They give a wide, natural soundstage but leak sound and block little noise. They suit quiet rooms, not shared spaces.

Are gaming headsets comfortable with glasses?

Softer memory foam pads and lighter clamp help. Look for listings that mention glasses support if it matters to you.

Can I use one headset on PC and console?

Many can, but check the connection for each system. Xbox-specific wireless headsets often need a matching adapter or Bluetooth on PC.

Should I turn on virtual surround?

Try it in each game. It can help with positioning in some titles and make others sound hollow.

Is Bluetooth good enough for gaming?

For casual games it is fine, but 2.4GHz dongles have noticeably lower latency. Use the dongle for competitive play.

Do wired headsets sound better than wireless ones?

Not necessarily. Driver quality and tuning matter more, but wired models avoid compression, latency and charging.

Bottom Line

SteelSeries's Nova 7 Gen 2 is the all-round pick. HyperX's Cloud Alpha 2 leads on battery, and the Astro A50 suits multi-platform desks.